Super Bowl LIII Draws Lowest Viewership Since 2008

Source: Statista

Considering that Sunday’s Super Bowl wasn’t exactly action-packed in terms of points scored, it doesn’t come as a huge surprise that it continued the negative trend in TV viewership that started in 2016. According to preliminary figures from Nielsen, CBS’ telecast of Sunday’s Patriots win averaged 98.7 million viewers, the lowest it’s been since 2008, when 97.5 million had witnessed the New York Giants’ 17-14 win over Tom Brady and his New England Patriots. Including all digital platforms, average viewership amounted to 100.7 million, which is still the lowest level since 2009.

Patriots Triumph in Lowest-Scoring Super Bowl Ever

Source: Statista

Tom Brady made history on Sunday by becoming the first player to win six Super Bowls. His New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in what turned out to be the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in NFL history. The game was dominated by strong defensive lines keeping the game tied 3-3 until the end of the third quarter.

Despite the fact that Brady stepped up in the fourth quarter, preparing the crucial touchdown with four completed passes in row, it was Rob Gronkowski’s stunning catch of the last of those passes that made Sony Michel’s game-winning touchdown possible.

As the following chart shows, Super Bowl LIII “beat” a 45-year old record in becoming the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever. Back in 1973, the Miami Dolphins had defeated the Washington Redskins 14-7.